Thu Nov 01, 2012 at 14:31:37 PM EDT

It is with great sadness that I have to report that a friend to us all, Bill Nickerson, the State Committeeman from Raynham passed away suddenly today. My heart goes out to his family and his friends at this time.

I never got a chance to meet Bill in person. We met on Facebook. Soon after I joined the Raynham RTC discussion group, we started exchanging private messages. He wanted to build bridges with people. His genuine warmth came through in his messages. I never met him in person, but I sense the deep loss of friend. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those who knew him better or longer than I.

He was too young to go to his reward. Here's to us all seeing him again when we join him.

All of us who knew Bill were shocked by the news of his passing. For those that would like to know more about Bill you can view the article they just ran in the local paper. I spoke with him at a standout for Angelo D'Emilia just last week, and was looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. Now, I will never have that pleasure.

Bill would talk with people for hours on end about the Republican Party. He was liked and respected by Republicans off all ideologies for his temperament, good humor, and earnest commitment to the GOP. Bill's activity in his community extended far beyond politics as he was active in local softball leagues, the American Legion, played in a regional pool league and was involved in much more. He was the type of person who was liked by just about anyone who met him, and the GOP couldn't of had a better ambassador in the region.

Above all, Bill was a true family man who consistently put his family first. My heartfelt prayers go out to his wife, children and his extended family. We have lost a treasured member of the Republican Party, but they have lost much more.

Town officials, friends and co-workers Thursday remembered prominent longtime Raynham resident Bill Nickerson as a good-natured people-person with a sunny disposition, can-do spirit and love of community and family.

For Raynham resident Bill Nickerson, traveling to Tampa, Fla., to attend the Republican National Convention as a delegate has been the experience of a lifetime.

As you can see from the photo that Rob posted, I had the honor & privilege of sitting next to Bill during the Convention in Tampa. I can attest to how excited Bill was to be a delegate. We talked about it endlessly and just hours before he passed, Bill was making plans with me to attend Mitt's Inauguration. Both our party & planet lost a good, damn good man and great friend to all.

I urge everyone to check out Bill Nickerson's personal Facebook page to read the loving tributes posted by so many, many of his friends. For everyone who loved Bill, and that's everyone who knew him, you may want to leave your own little note & enjoy the photos that he shared and now others are sharing of Bill.

I was shocked to hear of the passing of Bill Nickerson yesterday. When we started up the Taunton City Committee in 2009, Bill was there for us; helping us to get started and giving his advice. We helped each other out in the State Rep. races of 2010 to get Shaunna O'Connell and Angelo D'Emilia elected. I was so happy for Bill that he got the chance to go to the RNC this year and looked forward to reading the daily updates he gave to the Taunton Gazette. It's hard to believe this has happened. Bill was a great man and he will be dearly missed.

Bill Nickerson's services are scheduled to take place on November 8, from 4-8 at Dahlberg Macnevin Funeral Home in Lakeville, 280 Bedford Street / Rt. 18. There will be a service following at 8pm.

On Friday, November 9 there will be a graveside service at 11am at the Pleasant Street Cemetery in Raynham.

Please keep Bill and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

The family does ask in lieu of flowers to please send donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Taunton 388 Harvey St, Taunton, MA 02780 or donate to the St Judes Childrens Research Hospital in Bill's name.

William Leonard Nickerson, a longtime Raynham resident, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Thursday, November 1st, 2012.

Born in Hyannis, MA on November 16th, 1953, to the late Reginald and Harriette (Brabrook) Nickerson, Bill lived with his family in Chatham, MA until their move to Raynham in 1956. Bill was a proud 12th generation descendant of William Nickerson, the founder of Chatham.

Bill graduated in 1971 from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School and went on to attend Northeastern University, where he graduated with his Bachelors of Electrical Engineering Technology in 1976. Bill was hired by the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant in 1987, where he served as Power Production Manager from 1990 until his death.

Actively involved within the Raynham and Taunton communities, Bill played and/or captained many softball, pool, and bowling teams. He also coached countless youth soccer, softball, baseball, and hockey teams. Additionally, Bill frequently served within or led many organizations, including Taunton West Little League, the Raynham Youth Baseball & Softball Organization, and the Boys & Girls Club of Taunton.

Bill was elected to the Raynham Sewer Commission, which he chaired in 2012. A longtime member of the Raynham Republican Town Committee, Bill served as a State Convention delegate multiple times and was honored to be chosen as one of the Massachusetts delegates to the 2012 Republican Nation Convention.

Despite his many civic activities, Bill was always a family man first. The loving and devoted husband of Janis (Crowninshield) Nickerson, he leaves behind their son Derek Hall; daughters: Jesse, Jacquelin, and Kay; and granddaughter Dylan Hall, all from Raynham. He was the former husband of Donna (Rezendes) Nickerson. Recently predeceased by his niece, Gretchen Day, Bill is survived by his sister Ronnie O'Driscoll and his brothers Brian, Bo, and Barry. Bill was the stepson of Gail Nickerson and the son-in-law of Francis and Joanne Crowninshield, as well as the late Jacquelin Crowninshield. "Uncle Bill" also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, Nov. 8th, 2012 in the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 280 Bedford St. Lakeville, MA with memorial readings following at 8pm. A graveside service will be held Friday, Nov. 9th, at 11am in the Pleasant Street Cemetery, located 178 Pleasant Street in Raynham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Taunton, 31 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.